Synthesis of polyethersulfone membranes with the addition of silver nitrate for water filter applications

Clean water is a fundamental need in human life. Clean water is becoming limited due to increasing population growth and pollution. On the other hand, environmental damage due to domestic and factory liquid waste disposal is also a factor that makes the scarcity of clean water sources. Water purification is essential to maintain the sustainability of human life. Polyethersulfone (PES) polymer-based membrane technology is one of the approaches used to overcome this problem. To be effective as a water filtration membrane, PES is added with Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) for antibacterial purposes and to reduce the fouling effect. This study looks at different concentrations of silver nitrate in increasing the flux of PES-based membranes. The method used was electric field treatment to modify the membrane surface. SEM results show that PES/AgN03 membranes PA1, PA2, and PA3 produce porous, smooth, thin, densely arranged structures with typical finger-like pore sub-structures that correspond to PES characteristics. While testing mechanical properties resulted in the membrane PA1 having a strength of 5.74206 MPa, PA2 with a tensile strength of 3.81310 MPa, and PA3 having a tensile strength of 3.07480 MPa showing that the increasing AgNo3 decreased the tensile strength of the membrane. The wettability of membranes ranging between 135.2°, 137.6°, and 140.4° implies that due to their hydrophilicity, PES/AgNo3 membranes absorb more contaminants and impurity particles. CWP testing showed that the membrane flux ranged from 3.88797 L.m-2.h-1.bar-1, 3.69523 L.m-2.h-1.bar-1, and 3.01345 L.m-2.h-1.bar-1. Based on the test results, PES membrane added with silver nitrate with accurate composition has potential in water filtration applications